April 17, 2014

Nowitzki and his bruised knee are fine

MEMPHIS -- That extra day off until the start of their first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs couldn't come at a better time for Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki.

The 12-time All-Star bruised his right knee in the first half of Wednesday's 106-105 overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, but still wound up playing a season-high 46 minutes. Nowitzki said he'll be fine by the time the Mavs open their best-of-seven series against the Spurs at noon Sunday in San Antonio.

“It’s just a bruise,” Nowitzki said. "We’ve got plenty of time until Sunday, obviously.